Sara Baird shares her experience with Boondockers Welcome
I grew up tent camping but when we acquired a 5th wheel camper we quickly discovered an entirely new way of camping that was not accessible to us before. Initially, we thought camping in an RV was just a wimpy way to camp but we were soon struck by how being self-contained expanded the places we could go.
In addition to opening places to stay, we found ourselves enjoying the incredible community that exists among RV travelers. This community introduced us to Boondockers Welcome, which quickly became one of my favorite ways to travel. It also turned out to be an exciting way to offer fellow travelers a place to stay when we are not on the road.
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What Is Boondockers Welcome?
Boondockers Welcome provides memberships to a program that offers over 3000 sites to stay on private property in the United States and Canada. Their philosophy is that “RVing brings out the best in people – being in new places while sharing tight quarters next to complete strangers every day has a way of making people learn what is important in life and how making friends on the road is often the best part of the story”.
Travelers can sign up to host other travelers at their own homes and utilize Boondockers Welcome for stays at no cost or pay for a $79 membership to gain access to stays without hosting. This may or may not sound very exciting to you, I didn’t think it sounded great but decided to try it anyway and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was so much more than just an affordable way to travel.
Traveling With Boondockers Welcome
We decided to try out Boondockers Welcome on our very first long trip. We left our home in Minnesota in June 2019 knowing we wanted to travel to the Western United States with no other plans. We signed up and kept checking out possible host sites, we finally decided to try it out as we were heading toward Twin Falls, Idaho. We requested to stay at a farm outside of town that offered full hookups and quickly received a confirmation.
When we arrived, our host directed us to our parking spot. We enjoyed visiting with each other to learn about each other’s travels and our everyday lives. He said our dog was welcome to run free if we trusted her off-leash and gave us some incredible tips for places to see in the area off the beaten path. The two nights we stayed there were beautiful and quiet. We were able to visit museums, and Shoshone Falls, and took an incredible hike to a state park where we explored one the most beautiful canyons I’ve been in. After that stay, we were definitely hooked.
As a traveler, you access host sites through an app or website. You can filter your search to accommodate the length of your rig (what you are driving and/or pulling), whether pets are allowed, and the dates of the stay. Some hosts only allow 1 night while others will allow you to stay multiple nights. Our trailer and truck’s combined length was 47 feet but we had no issues finding places to accommodate us. A smaller total length would have doubled the available stays.
In addition to our stay in Twin Falls, we stayed on a farm outside of La Pine Oregon that had multiple spots for people to stay, in the driveway of a house in Boise, Idaho, and on another beautiful farm in British Columbia. With each stay, we learned that BW is about so much more than a cheap place to stay the night. We thoroughly enjoyed the people we met and experienced generosity that is not all that common in the world today. We also saw places and had experiences we could not have found in a campground. We truly felt that we were part of a bigger community.
Things to Know About Your Stays
While staying with a Boondockers Welcome host it is important that you understand how to be a good guest. I found that many hosts prefer that you use the site as a home base and that you spend your days out exploring the area. If you plan to work from your RV during the day be sure the communicate that ahead of time to ensure the hosts are comfortable with that.
Make sure that you read the rules your host has posted and stick to them, if you are unsure about anything it is better to ask than to assume. Many hosts are very generous in offering you the use of their electricity, water, and even sewer, be respectful with what you use and make sure you compensate your host for what you use. Many hosts will list an expected contribution for using these services right in their host profile.
Most of all, make sure you express gratitude to your host and let them know how much you appreciate the stay. We usually leave a greeting card with some cash for our hosts, many travelers will leave gifts they have made or local items from their homes or places they have traveled.
Hosting
I originally signed up to host because it was cheaper to subscribe that way. I did not think anyone would be interested in staying in our simple driveway but I have been surprised by frequent requests. We live a short distance from a major interstate and live within walking distance of a grocery store so our home is an easy stop for people on their travels. We normally just host people traveling through town but I’ve also had people stay who were in town to see some historic sites or even to attend a grandchild’s baseball tournament.
As a host, you decide what rules you would like your guests to follow and how long they can stay. You can even decide how far in advance you will let guests request a stay and how many nights they can stay. You decide how long a guest’s rig can be and if there is room for slideouts.
In addition, you can make rules that describe if it is okay to set up lawn chairs, use grills, bring a pet, and more. There is even a place to offer your guests electricity, water, and sewer if you have them available.
A newer feature is being able to list a contribution amount for the use of amenities for guests as well, that way guests know upfront how to compensate you. You don’t even need to use the travel portion or own an RV in order to host guests. You can simply sign up as a host for free. If you are on the fence about RV travel or hope to start in the future, this is a great way to meet people who are out doing it and learn from them.
More Than a Place To Stay
After using Boondockers Welcome as both a host and a guest I realized that it is so much more than a cheap place to stay. It is about being a part of a community of people who love to travel. I am overjoyed each time I have a stay request because it is a chance to give back and whenever I’m planning a trip I start by looking for Boondocker Welcomes hosts in the area we will visit.
You can find out more about Boondockers Welcome by visiting https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/. Perhaps I’ll see you if you need a place to stay the night or Minnesota or I’ll stay with you when I’m out exploring. You never know who you will meet once you join.
Have your say
Have you tried using Boondockers Welcome for your vacation? What have been your experiences? Please share your views below. To read more of Sara’s experiences with outdoor products and services check out our Reviews Page.
I am an adventurer at heart, always looking for the next opportunity to learn something new. I spend my winter days working with high school students to explore their interests and develop passions.
I spend my evenings and summers developing new hobbies and being outdoors as much as possible. I enjoy camping, hiking, cross country skiing, and biking.
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
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Sara Bairdhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/sara-baird/
Thank you for this wonderful information! I was familiar with Harvest Hosts, but did not know this community existed. I’ve also passed on your website to my sister who is car camping this summer.
I like programs like this where we have an option to enjoy affordable travel. Boondockers Welcome community sounds like the travelers community I encountered in India. They have hostel backpackers and camping site communities that work for travellers around the world. Someday I too wish to travel with people in a community like the Boondockers!
I just read your article about Boondockers Welcome and I was blown away by the information provided. It was informative and well-written, with plenty of practical tips for those interested in boondocking. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on safety and the personal anecdotes shared. Kudos to you!
Sounds like a very powerful way to make your travel experience much better! I like that it features a lot of information and especially about pets: I often have to make calls/write messages to confirm my dog. Thanks for sharing the goodness.
Boondockers Welcome is a great program to share your site with your RVing guests and I got to learn something new about camping. It’s a great way to make new friends and also you can share some extra space for guests. Sign up amount of $79 is pretty reasonable and also you can have your own set of rules to use your space. It’s a great idea for camping for travelers and exploring the city.
With the explosion of remote work, the idea of getting a camper van has crossed my mind more than a few times, but the logistics of it always seemed to escape me. I grew up not wanting to “tent camp”, but as I got older, I changed my mind after one fateful trip. Staying in a camper van with friends changed my perspective on that. It is wonderful that they have an app and that the hosts personally directed you to your camping spot. What wonderful memories you will create in your 5th wheel.
As a fellow traveler who enjoys camping and RVing (we have our own campervan), I always appreciate learning about new places like this especially if it’s on a budget. Boondockers Welcome sounds like a fantastic community. I especially love the idea of getting to know locals and learning about their favorite spots in the area. We always say a true traveler is not just a passerby but one that learns the life of locals who live there and experiences that life themselves too.
I totally agree. There is no better way to get to really experience an area than to connect with the people who live there. That’s what makes Boondockers Welcome so special.
Boondockers Welcome is a really great idea, I wish we had this service in Italy too! I have never been in an RV but it sounds and looks like a fun way to travel and see the country. I think the membership fee sounds reasonable but I’m speaking as a non-American so maybe it is just me! I think this will take off.
I’m new to the term “Boondockers”, but this was very fun and intersting to read.
I really like this idea, it’s kinda like couch surfing concept when people allow others to stay in exchange for you being allowed to use the network. This sounds like a great way to travel when in a camper and save some costs. Hopefully they widen this to Europe or England.
I wish that I could go camping in an RV during the summer months. It has been a long time since I’ve been.
This sounds like a great initiative, especially that you get to meet locals and get so much advice from someone who lives there. Whilst I don’t really camp, I am a member of a similar website but for travellers, and I do host people in my home free of charge. I think it’s a fantastic way to learn more about other cultures through their locals. If I was to buy an RV I would definitely look into this program, I think the membership is well worth it.
Boondockers Welcome sounds like a helpful and great option for those who love to go camping.
I really like this concept by Boondockers Welcome. It sure sounds like a cool community bond. And I also like the attitude of gratitude. Straightforward thank you and some simple gifts leave such long happy memories. It’s a good way to end your trip.
Boondockers Welcome sounds like such a lovely way to go and what a pretty photo of the rainbow! 🙂
Wow! The places that are included in the Boondockers Welcome membership appear quite nostalgic and very mesmerizing! Travelers could definitely fall in love with this scheme! Love it!
Boondocker’s Welcome sounds like a great service for avid travelers!
There is nothing better than going camping and having a good time. Boondockers Welcome seems to take this to a new level. I love the peaceful, yet also social element to it.
Boondockers sounds like an awesome opportunity for anyone that loves the great outdoors! I bookmarked this to come back to as this is perfect for me and my husband 😉
I’ve never heard anything about the Boondockers Welcome, but it all looks pretty neat!
This is very cool. There is another site similar to that called hipcamp. Basically the same thing but for camp type experiences.
We have used Hipcamp as well. There are some great places to stay on it. The difference is that Hipcamp charges for stays where Boondockers is free, unless you use amenities, then you should compensate your host for those.
This is a very useful website. My husband loves camping and this will help him find his next campground.
What an innovative idea for RV travellers! I can see this really taking off as it’s much more affordable.
Years ago before my husband became ill, we had a 5th wheel and adored the lifestyle. He’s been gone 9 years and I would desperately love to get back into the RVing community. This sounds like something I’d definitely enjoy being a part of!
I hope you can get back into it. Boondockers Welcome really makes it easy to travel.
Boondockers Welcome looks like they have a lot of lovely places on their books for a vacation. I will keep it in mind for sure. Pretty rainbow!
Never heard of Boondockers before. This is such a great idea to foster a community of campers – and great they have an app.
Thanks for this article. A very cool camper van place opened up in my town, and I really want to try traveling with one. Don’t necessarily want to just stay in big campgrounds though. I also don’t want to risk driving around and not finding a place to stay. This sounds like a great option, checking it out for the summer.